Euphemism - what's that?Do not you remember?Do you not know?Well, let's take a closer look.Remember in the movie "Brother 2" between the protagonists about the dispute on how to properly handle a person with dark skin: the Negro or African American?In Russian, there is no fundamental difference between these two concepts: "Yes, I was taught in school: in China, the Chinese living in Germany - Germans in it ... Israel - Jews, in Africa - negros!" - Was surprised to notice DanielBagrov.To which his companion replies: "Nigger - it is insulting for them a curse.""Why is it remembered this episode?"- You ask.Because he could not be more accurately and vividly describes a linguistic phenomenon, as a euphemism.
Euphemisms in Russian
In the example above the word "black" is a euphemism, the word-substitution, to mitigate the direct meaning "sharp", according to the Americans, the lexical unit "nigger."We have a "nigger" is not offensive, demeaning or sarcastic, so does not need an alternative.And what are the euphemisms are common in Russian?We'll talk about this later.
As you know, a euphemism - is the use of a soft, gentle, non-offensive words or expressions.They replace a rude and tactless.The occurrence and duration of "life" of a euphemism associated with the development of history, culture, changes in the outlook of society.For example, not so long ago, in the days of our grandparents were not accepted to say that in today's society is considered the norm.For example, instead of the word "pregnancy" talked "delicate position", an allusion to "sexual relations" were phrases like "close relations, communications, live with someone else," the expression "retiradnoe place" means "toilet" revolution "to hell with it"instead of" to hell with it "," bastard "-" illegitimate "," to die "- to" die "," mental illness "-" mental illness ", and so on.Basically it is the reservoir of vocabulary related to the sexual side of life, and certain parts of the body.This can also be attributed taboo swear words and references to the name of God, the devil, the dark forces, to whom the people felt the thrill or, alternatively, superstitious fear.We can not say that such euphemisms completely out of upotrebleniya.Odnako in modern Russian there are two contradictory phenomena: on the one hand - the roughness of speech, but on the other - evfemizatsiya.The paradox, is not it?So what's really going on?Secrets of the "human body" ceased to be a mystery, sexuality - is a topic for discussion number one, swear words - is one of the acclaimed methods of expression and confrontation "good - evil", "light and darkness", "God - the Devil" - this fromthe world of fairy tales, and archaeological sites.It would seem that erases the boundaries of what is permitted and decent, "unprintable" vocabulary becomes a "printed" and offend, hurt or humiliate another person on the subway or in-store behavior becomes the norm, there is a question: "Then what do you want the word substitute?"And they are not needed.Therefore, the essence of this linguistic phenomenon has changed.Therefore, a modern euphemism - it is, above all, constant component of politics, diplomacy and media "price liberalization" - "price increase", "neutralize" - "kill", "accident" - "catastrophe", "failure" - "fail"" religious movement "-" sect "," campaign "-" war "," ethnic cleansing "-" the destruction of a people "," red line diagonally sheet "-" HIV-infected patients "Referring seeless frequently used words in order to avoid roughness, sharpness and tactlessness.Increasingly function euphemisms - distortion content, masking, distortion of facts and manipulation of consciousness.This "substitution" of concepts is not something to slow rather quickly.Freedom in the modern sense - say it directly, as is, do not mince words, no matter how it sounds, whether it offends the dignity of the other person or not, whether it is for the edification, inspiration or destroys you from the inside.The main thing - is to speak out and get rid of your negativity.However, when we hear or read the speeches of politicians, it becomes important not to let the "bad energy" in itself, not let close to the soul of any excitement.Therefore, we can say that the modern euphemism - words and expressions that do not help us to avoid "unpleasant" vocabulary, but to limit the independence of thought, offering an imaginary freedom in a nice wrapper.But there is always a choice, and it is up to us ....
